Team Enigma
Formation: 4-3-3, similar to Bayern around Robbery and Lewa. Exploit the flanks, moderate press and control the proceedings in the middle of the park.
Defence:
Two great full backs in Cole and Zanetti, with the latter being the more attacking one in this game. Cole will be in his balanced role, providing support in attack. Dias and Cannavaro are at the heart of defence. Dias will be key in his distribution from the back, Cannavaro as a stopper and foil alongside him. Moderate defensive line.
Midfield:
Arie Haan will act as a holder which is something he made a living out of during his heyday. He was a tenacious player with good playmaking skills and powerful shot. Next to him we have Pool's powerhouse and midfield general Souness, acting in his main conductor role. Rakitic will perform his Barca role contributing in both phases, keep things ticking.
Attack:
The focal point of the team - one of the finest wingers the game ever seen, which also enjoyed great success playing together - Robben and Ribery. As a complete central forward we have Marco van Basten who would feed off the creativity behind him but also be what would be expected from modern #9.
Focal points:
- Robbery and Van Basten. A trio that had it all and would be very difficult to stop.
- Defensive line consisting of two of the most balanced full backs that are solid at the back and can keep things tight. In the Dias/Cannavaro is also IMO a very complimentary pair and as good as it gets given the theme of the draft
- midfield line that can control the pace and tempo of the game, but also each one of them can contribute in the defensive phase and harass the opposition and force them into losing possession.
A little bit of Marco magic:
Rakitic a complete midfielder:
Team prolifik
We're lining up in a standard-looking 4-4-2, but the partnerships out wide and up front introduce an element of unpredictability. Donadoni and Nedvěd are both comfortable attacking down the flank or cutting into the centre, while Ronaldo and Villa are both renowned for their clever movement which makes them difficult to pin down. Gerets and Brehme will maintain the width with their supporting runs from the full-back positions. In the engine room, Casemiro is the athletic destroyer while Thiago pulls the strings. Alongside Gerets and Brehme, the back four is completed by the elegant Belodedici and the tenacious man-marking of Ferrara, with the towering Courtois between the sticks.
Out of possession, Villa will constantly pressure Dias to prevent him from initiating attacks. Similarly, Donadoni and Nedvěd will aggressively press the full-backs so Enigma doesn't have an easy out ball, especially with neither Cannavaro nor Kahn being amazing on the ball. In addition to slowing down Enigma's build-up play, the objective is to force turnovers high up the pitch where our front four (Ronaldo in particular) can do some serious damage on the counter.